Mayor Bruce Harrell delivered his 2025 State of the City Address on Tuesday, February 18 at Benaroya Hall and took a stance on several hot-button topics. Among them was the question of cars in Pike Place Market—a matter of debate for several years now in Seattle. He also discussed plans for more affordable housing, a faster timeline for light rain expansions, and other improvements.
Read on for more info about making Pike Place Market car-free.
In his address this week, the mayor spoke of the city’s progress as well as the city’s issues. One improvement he wants to implement is making Pike Place Market car-free. Here is what Harrell said on the topic:
I have a vision for our connected waterfront and Pike Place Market as one of the greatest pedestrian experiences in the country – where market patrons, visitors from out of town, and downtown residents do not have to worry about vehicle traffic. It’s one thing to weave through crowds of enthusiastic shoppers, it’s another to weave through stop-and-go automobiles.
The completed Waterfront Project will be unveiled this year in 2025 and will comprise of 20 acres total of public space for pedestrians. In his address, the mayor encouraged Seattle to consider reinventing and enhancing Pike Place Market in a similar way. Harrell said we will have to “make considerations for merchants, deliveries, and ADA access” but that he is “committed to bringing together our City departments, Market leadership, and other stakeholders to make this happen.”
The idea of a car-free Pike Place Market has widespread support among Seattleites. In 2021, a poll by Northwest Progressive Institute found that 81% of Seattle residents were in favor of limiting vehicle traffic in Pike Place Market to loading and unloading only. That same year, former city council member Andrew Lewis commented that it was “a big priority for 2022.” Despite public support and promises from local politicians, any legislation limiting cars in Pike Place Market has yet to be introduced.
Here are other key plans for Seattle in 2025 mentioned in the State of the City address:
- A shorter timeline for the West Seattle and Ballard light rail expansions.
- Passing a Comprehensive Plan update, which allows for at least 120,000 more homes and double the zoning capacity throughout Seattle.
- Redeveloping Aurora Avenue North into a mixed-use neighborhood via the upcoming Northern Lights Project.
- Building affordable housing on the Fort Lawton Army Reserve Center in Discovery Park. This will add up to 500 homes as well as 22 acres of public green space. The plan (which has been in the works for 15 years) will be submitted to the City Council for approval this spring.
- Breaking ground on the new Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center this July.
You can read the entire 2025 State of the City address on seattle.gov.